Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Glue Gun Curtains for Library Closet

Hi friends!

Have you ever made curtains with a glue gun? It's a quick and easy way to beautify your library storage area!

I have lots of stuff in my closet, like hats, and decorations for all the seasons, plus supplies for library centers. Even when I used plastic tubs,  and organized and labeled each shelf, it still looked so messy.

 mess=stress

Curtains made my closet so much more lovely! And it didn't take much time or effort since I used a hot glue gun.

Check out this before and after photo.



You can use butcher paper for your curtains instead of fabric. They'll be cheaper but not as durable.



I used one inch black and white gingham because (a) I love gingham, (b) the one-inch grid pattern made measuring and cutting simple, and (c) I think it will match everything. I ordered the fabric from Warehouse Fabrics because they had the best price per yard at $3.49.


The only supplies you need for this project are fabric, measuring tape, scissors, hot glue gun, and your favorite beverage. And remember the very important rule of the glue gun: DON'T TOUCH THE HOT GLUE!! IT BURNS!


My shelf area is 45 inches long. I added 3 inches for the curtain rod casing at the top, and 1 inch for the hem at the bottom, and I cut the fabric into 49-inch lengths (45+3+1).


I chose to put the selvage of the fabric on the vertical edges of my curtains. The selvage is tightly woven by the manufacturer so that it won't unravel. That means I don't have to finish the side edges.

My fabric is 45 inches wide, and my shelves are 36 inches wide, and that 9-inch difference will allow the curtains to gather a little bit on the curtain rod.



I turned down the top edge to the three-inch mark to make a casing for the curtain rod,  put a line of hot glue along that line, and folded the fabric over onto the glue strip.


Ta-da! No sewing!

Next I turned up the bottom edge one inch, and hot glued my hems. This is where the one-inch gingham makes it super easy. I just fold along the stripe, and I have an even one-inch hem.


After I had glued the top and bottom edges, I spent a couple of minutes ironing the edges to make them sharper.


Now I can walk into my library closet and not get stressed out by all the STUFF! All I see is a wall of gingham.

AHHHH!
Sometimes it's the little things that make our days better. This back-to-school project is working for me!


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